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vampirecatsw · 5 months

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Transmigrator Kaito AU

part 2:

(lol i haven't written any resembling a fic for this au yet but feel free to ask questions)

Kaito's favourite manga is Detective Conan. Instead of crossing over with Magic Kaito, it crosses over with Yaiba.

The Yaiba content annoys Kaito to no end because he's jealous~ He's like "Ugh, crossing Conan over with say like, a Phantom Thief would be perfect! Not Yaiba! >:("

He's definitely read and written Kaitou KID / Detective Conan crossovers HAHAHA

(I still need to do more research about Yaiba but I know there's Yaiba characters in dc so that's why I chose this. Sorry I don't know much about Yaiba but I thought it would be a fun idea)

Kaito picked it up when his dad died and still reads it to this day. Yes, it's long running series too :)) He reads it in his downtime, including before and after heists. He's basically memorised every detail.

Out of all the characters, Conan/Shinichi is Kaito's favourite character. When Kaito got frustrated, he always came back for him. And he's a huuuuge fanboy as well! He knows all the little details >v0 and admires Shin-chan a lot.

I'm still deciding on making this romantic ShinKai or queerplatonic (like some third thing other than platonic and romantic) but eh it's still in the air ig. Kaito adores Shin a lot either way.

Kaito doesn't know that in the final chapter of Conan, it was revealed Shin and Ran decided they had a sibling relationship. Kaito keeps trying to wingman them in increasingly absurd ways that makes Shin think he's actually trying to serenade Ran.

When the final chapter is going to come out, Kaito goes on a heist but everything goes wrong. He ends up finding Pandora, but Snake finds him first and manages to mortally wound him. As he bleeds out on the rooftop, Pandora drenched in blood and lying in his limp hands, Kaito's last regret is how he never got to read the final chapter of Conan.

More details below cut:

Suddenly, Kaito wakes up to a vicious pinch in his cheek.

"Ba-kai-to! Wake up! I've been calling you for the last 5 minutes!"

"Ow! A-Aoko?? Wha-"

Kaito raises his head and sees... his normal classroom? Huh? Was everything just a dream? That final heist?

Kaito quickly pats down his chest. Nothing hurts... except for his sore throbbing cheek, and he's clothed in his normal school uniform, not the KID suit.

He keeps glancing around, trying to find any differences. Aoko's still standing in front of his desk, hands on her hips and a concerned look on her face. The classroom hasn't been filled up yet and the board is still freshly cleaned from yesterday, meaning it's the morning and class hasn't started yet. Akako hasn't arrived either. And Hakuba's reading a newspaper about Kudo Shinichi...

Huh?

Kudo Shinichi???

Kaito lunges over his desk. "Hey! Give me that!"

Hakuba is too stunned at the sudden attack.

Kaito rapidly skims through the article .The paper crinkles in his trembling grip.

"Kudo Shinichi, the Heisei Holmes has done it again! He solved another case flawlessly last Monday..."

Hakuba adds hesitantly, "Yes? Kudo Shinichi. He's been making a name for himself recently. It would be a pleasure as a fellow detective to work alongside him one day."

Hakuba says this all naturally, like Shinchi's been real this entire time. Like he wasn't just a manga character yesterday.

Kaito gulps ...There's no mistake. The impossible has happened, and Detective Conan is somehow real.

~ Kaito in this AU is just... a Kudo Shinichi fanboy. He's absolutely ecstatic to challenge Kudo Shinichi. He's even more excited to amaze his critic, and every time they meet, Kaito's pokerface works overtime to hide his delighted blush and adoring grin on his face. Jii is so confused but also very supportive.

... Kaito really wants to squish Shin-chan's cheeks and tease him until his entire face turns a pretty pink, dangers be damned.

Meanwhile Shinichi keeps getting annoyed by this clingy thief who keeps coming back for more. What's so interesting about him anyways??? Why does he keep teasing him???

(This au also includes pre-conan and during conan. Kaito is extremely charmed by Conan and his pokerface works extra-overtime than when he met Shinichi. If that is even possible. After every heist he screams in his pillow and recalls every moment)

Extras:

Kaito takes a solid week to slide himself into the Kudo Shinichi fan-server and cement himself as the Shinichi Expert. After a month he actually gets elected as co-president. Yes he's absolutely insane.

Kaito regularly sends fan letters to Shinichi, even after his 'disappearance'. They always wish Shinichi the best and includes random funny snippets of Kaito's day. They're addressed as "Kai-san" and are pretty polite. They always come with Kaito's genetically engineered blue and red roses that he grows in his garden. He doesn't gift the blue roses to anyone but Shinichi haha

Akako does exist in this universe. It's just that she sensed such a major disturbance that she stayed at home and researched it vigorously to make sure the fabric of space-time wasn't unravelling.

Kaito is like a proud peacock whenever Shin/Cone shows up. He literally pulls out all the stops and Jii is confused, yet very supportive. Agasa who provides the gadget just sighs at the huge and absurd list. It doesn't escape his mind that it happens whenever Conan/Shin attends a KID heist.

OVA 1 is really fun so I thought it would be extra funny for it to be somewhat plausible in this au. Not sure if Yaiba would be turned into a manga series when Magic Kaito becomes the main crossover (if that makes sense). When Kaito robs the sword, he would use his knowledge to cause the most chaos. Yes Kaito read Yaiba out of spite, and also 'know thy enemy, know thyself'

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deiaiko · 1 year

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#11 - Encounter

Masterlist

Let me know your thoughts in the reblogs <3

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stitchedragdoll · 3 months

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Hello! I wanted to ask. What do you think about Miss Peacekeeper? Do you hate, like, respect her?

Creator answering

Because there is a bunch of asks about Stitcher's relationship to Keeper, which is great ! I can go into nuance about those two

I wanna ramble about Stitcher creation too haha

Stitcher as been made because our story needed villains. I made her to he a real bother to Observer, a nemesis for Messenger and an antithesis for Keeper.

Much like Keeper, Stitcher is in some way in the theme of healing, as well as grief and death. Keeper helps heals the heart and gives people a place to rest, and Stitcher learned from that and wants to do the same, she wants to fix things and make it all better. Only Stitcher is going about it a very wrong way and has people around her that encourages this path. It's a lot of nuances but the themes are pretty important to me at least and I think it's interesting dynamics. Keeper somehow helped create what Stitcher is today and Stitcher knows it.

Stitcher's core theme is processing grief, and especially, she herself is unable to do it, so she thinks she heals when she doesn't ...But that much I'll get into later.

So, to answer the question

Stitcher respects and has a bit of admiration for Keeper !

This is one of the very first doodles of Stitcher, made back in early summer right after her creation ! It's been so long !

There is A LOT of content I don't post about Stitcher because it would be spoiler *cries* but I so want to show it

#welcome home au #welcome home multiverse #stitcher julie #wh au #wh multiverse #welcome home #wttmv #julie joyful #chit chats #I'm currently putting in order the asks to reveal Stitcher's backstory #i finally have enough asks to get it all in order !#isn't that great #i'm a little artblock and it will take time but hopefully before next year I will have answered about her full backstory #cause oh boi it's long #i want to make a comic version but there's actually already written chapters

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theartofnieriel · 2 years

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New Beginnings - Chapter 1: Reveal

All the miraculouses have been recovered. The only problem comes when Chat Noir finally gets the last one, revealing the identity of the man who’s been terrorizing Paris for so long, and is faced with a cruel and unexpected truth he’s not ready to deal with.

reblog, don’t repost. thank you

#i actually drew this story before the s4 finale and had to tweak it #this has been living in my drafts since february #but seeing what happened in destruction i think it's a good moment to publish it #adrien agreste #chat noir #gabriel agreste #hawkmoth #miraculous ladybug #miraculous the tales of ladybug and chat noir #Reveal AU #one down 20+ chapters more to go #adrien is a senti in this one #Nieriel #2022

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thefangirlofhp · 6 months

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25. fireplace

“Now why would I do that?”

Elain looks over from her Herbology textbook at Azriel, hunched over the long table reading yesterday’s print of The Daily Prophet. Next to them, Rhysand and Cassian have settled into a game of chess a few minutes ago.

“Come on, mate,” Rhys persuades him, from where he’s sitting next to Elain. “Mum would love to have you there. We’d have proper fun. Cassian’s coming.”

Cassian snaps his head up from the chess board and pointedly glares at Rhys. “I said I’m going if Az is.”

“Shut up,” Rhys waves him quiet. “Mor will be there.”

“She’s your cousin, of course she is,” Azriel replies, uninterested, as he turns a page. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Now you aren’t,” Rhys argues. “But it’s not for another two weeks. Eh? I could lend you guys some of my clothes, you wouldn’t have to worry about getting fitted or anything. Better yet, Mum would make you robes on the spot if I tell her you’re coming.”

“Rhys, man,” Azriel sighs, and lays a scarred hand flat on top of the newspaper. “I’m really honored you want me there, but it’s not my crowd.”

“It’s a New-Years ball, at my parents’,” Rhys reiterates. “We’ll fuck around with the guests for a bit, steal a couple of drinks, break into Dad’s office, and have fun at my place. What about that isn’t your crowd?”

Azriel blinks down at the paper, quiet, as a muscle in his jaw flickers. Cassian glances at him, before turning back to Rhys.

“Maybe drop it?” Cassian suggests quietly. “Don’t pressure him.”

“You’re gonna make a move or not?!” demands a chess piece, that Rhys promptly moves before looking back at Azriel.

“What are you even going to do over the holidays?” Rhys asks. “Stay here alone all break?”

“I’ve got work to catch on,” Azriel replies quietly. “I’m way back.”

“Hey, I’ve got you covered on that,” Rhys presses. “And the professors understand. Come to the ball, change of air. What do you say?”

Elain leans against the table edge, watching Azriel purse his lips tightly.

“Sleep on it,” she suggests softly, as three pairs of eyes swivel to her. “Could be nice. Does he have to answer now?” she asks Rhys.

“No,” he quickly answers. “No, of course. She’s right. Think it over, yeah? You can’t let Cass go alone.”

Azriel nods once. “I’ll think about it.”

Rhys nods and returns to his and Cassian’s chess game. Elain meets Azriel’s eyes and offers an encouraging smile.

“Oh, and Elain, you’re welcome too, obviously,” Rhys remembers, a few minutes later. “Sorry, it slipped my mind.”

“Thank you,” she smiles politely. “It’d be a pleasure, but I’ve got plans with my family for the holiday.”

“Ah,” Rhys blinks. “That’s a shame. But have fun, yeah.”

She smiles again, and returns to her Herbology and swirling thoughts. She, too, like Azriel is very much behind on their work. Only Azriel has a plausible and legitimate reason but Elain’s is her lost grasp on reality. The stress makes it worse, as she’s realized, and this state of hers only generates more for her to worry over and on goes the vicious cycle.

She does think a change of scenery would be good for him; this year has been rough on all of them, but for Azriel it’s been one punch after the other. From being interrogated almost monthly by the Ministry aurors for potential relations to Hybern’s supporters (an unfortunate consequence of being the Shadowsinger family’s heir, the first actual shadowsinger in several generations) and most recently his mother’s passing away. Elain feels as if it has upended his life in a way, as whatever boy he was before this was no longer found in the aftermath. Azriel had left the school to bury her, and what came back was a solemn and reserved young man—granted he has always kept to himself, to a certain degree, but it was attributable to his shy nature and unique personality. But something was different, now, and Elain hopes it is only the grief.

When most of the students in the Great Hall have retired to their dormitories, and Elain’s too drowsy to make sense of the blurring words on the pages, Azriel takes a look at her and folds up the newspaper neatly.

“Come on,” he climbs over the table and shuts her textbook. “Bed.”

She yawns. “But ‘m not tired.”

“Elain, do you really want to risk actual sleep for half-assed no-yield studying?” Azriel packs her things up into her bag and slings it over his shoulder. “Could you guarantee another chance to sleep?”

She stands up, and follows him to the doors. “You’re right,” she mumbles. “But I want to stay up with you. I know you’re not getting any sleep.”

“I’m fine,” he replies. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

“Don’t have to,” she insists. “I’m right as rain.”

Azriel sighs. “Yeah. Plans with your family over the holidays? Since when?”

“Well, I am going to see Nesta, and spend time with Father,” Elain frowns. “What’s so unbelievable about that?”

Azriel raises a brow at her. “Didn’t you say your Father’s in Brazil?”

Elain blinks. “I actually forgot about that. But I’m going home, nonetheless. And you should stay with the Blackwoods. I hate to think of you here alone.”

“Look, let’s agree to suspend our mutual worry for each other and just focus on our own selves, how about that?”

Elain snorts. That meant she was winning. They reach the Hufflepuff corridor, and Elain turns to Azriel. “Hey,” she reaches out and squeezes his hand. “Think it over, really, okay?”

His eyes flicker over her face, his own unreadable and encrypted with his narrowed brows and clenched jaw. “I will,” he replies softly.

“Liar,” she breathes out.

He pauses.

“What are you hiding?” it is a rhetoric question, of course. If she thought whatever he had going on was something he could actually talk about, she’d have long ago pressed him for answers. But Elain kept his mother’s passing in mind, the bare minimum of excuses, while keeping a close eye on him. But she supposes what she wants to say is something like; I see you and I don’t understand, but I see something is the matter.

Azriel shakes his head a beat late. “Nothing,” he softly lies, and she supposes he knows already by now she can hear the lies just as well as the truth. “Good night, Elain.”

She watches him go. “Night, Az.”

#hogwarts!au #strikes again #reader: so it's really either a short nonsensical word vomit or an intricate scene from a fic with insider references and details #to the overall plot that you're not really revealing?#me: uh yeah :)) yes you are correct :))#elain archeron #rhysand #cassian #hufflepuff!elain #ravenclaw!azriel #slytherin!rhysand #gryffindor!cassian #no i will not accept any different houses this is final #although i would turn a blind eye to rhys being in ravenclaw but his slytherin characteristics are overwhelming #maybe one day i'll get to sit down and write this entirely #when i'm done with apaixonar and the last chapter of loea #hogwarts elriel #because i am a sucker for that #cheers

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blorbologist · 5 months

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Architect of our demise: Chapter 3

Aeor is profoundly unwelcoming when it wants to be. Which suits Percival just fine, given he has a lead. Totally fine.

They soon find that Delilah Briarwood’s notes are a scattered mess of petty missives, stunning dissections of inhumane research, and grand plots of godhood. Typical of a member of the Somnovem, but for the fact her schemes center around a long-gone archmage.

“Vecna,” Vex’ahlia explains. “An imitator of my -” she pauses, painfully sharp, as though she does not expect it “- patron, my god. He failed, obviously, but has been a nuisance ever since.”

“Hm.” Percival holds his thoughts as she hands him another gem. It only takes him a second to crack its sigils, Lady Briarwood’s murmur filling the air. With a lens he spills illusory letters on the table, transcribing the message. “I had a relative - distant, three-four generations back - try something similar. So the story goes, Erathis’ justice descended on her for the hubris, struck her dead where she stood.” A quick skim reveals discussion of some Ozwyn Gruude - interesting. “Poetic flavor for ‘failed ritual splattered the room with fine red paste’, most likely.”

She snorts. “That’s usually how it goes. Any luck?”

“Perhaps,” he admits.

He had begun to doubt if rushing to decode these notes was the right call. His neck is tender, likely bruised, and with the adrenaline drained of his limbs everything is heavier than it should be. Rest might have been wise.

Rest might have been possible if not for the fever burn at the back of his skull, cooking every thought until it came out smoking, wreathing the image of Ripley on the other end of his gun.

Vex’ahlia scoots closer. Percival points out the name that caught his eye. “Gruude,” he says. “The man has come up in articles and publications tied to the doctor I’m looking for. They seem to have been collaborators, associates. Mostly dated ten years hence, but…”

She reads, overtop Delilah's slower diction, “Dear, I found word that a gentleman going by Ozwyn Gruude has been paying handsome bounties for biological material from magical monsters. His office is located in Vasselheim, in case you would like to deal with the pest. Call it a favor.” Vex’ahlia grimaces, reading the letter over again. “Looks like the bitch never got to send it. This is addressed to one Gloria Cyn. Does that name mean anything to you?”

“Vaguely,” says Percival. “To my knowledge they are another researcher in the Genesis Ward. Not that narrows anything down, and I’d, ah, rather not waste time finding them for a second-degree connection given -” he gestures vaguely at the dried blood on his coat and the looted recordings.

“Right.”

Percival leans back in his chair, kept from toppling only by brumestone ornamentation. He feels almost lightheaded. A lead, a real lead, in his hands. Finally.

Prologue | Keep reading on AO3!

#art fuelled More Writings #the ship Probably should have been called The Whitestone - but that's just not a good name for a ship :c #next chapter: Percy is A Petty Bitch - Vex finally gives him the big reveal #critical role #perc'ahlia #percahlia #cr fic #my writing #age of arcanum AU #percival de rolo #vex'ahlia

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mirrortouchedsea · 3 months

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HiMERU was fuming when he walked into the church. His brother was just sitting here this whole time, not even bothering to look for him or do anything useful? HiMERU needed to stay calm. His fists were clenched at his side. He walked up to Tatsumi Kazehaya and asked him if he had been keeping Kaname against his will, which was met with a negative response. Kaname had stayed of his own free will. I would never force someone to stay, Tatsumi said.

HiMERU stormed over to his brother seated in one of the pews next to Amagi’s younger brother and the other child he couldn’t be bothered to learn the name of and grabbed him by the wrist. Let’s go, there’s no reason for you to stay here. Kaname resisted, though HiMERU was stronger and continued walking out to where Rinne, Niki and Kohaku were sitting outside.

Onii-chan I can’t leave. That priest said he wasn’t forcing you to stay so we’re going. He isn’t but--onii-chan please just listen--

HiMERU took one step outside the chapel, Kaname’s hand breaching the doorway, still in his grasp. It suddenly felt…

He looked down and saw it begin to rot away.

I can’t leave, Onii-chan.

#shay writes #enstars #ensemble stars #kaname tojou #himeru #post apocalypse au #made myself work on one of my other fics before posting this one #kaokana fic is sitting at 12k words rn. worked on chapter 3 finally and i'm getting somewhere with it #did a little bit of editing on it too but i'm waiting to do any major edits til i feel the chapter is done #chapter 3 is sitting just shy of 1k words rn but i'm hoping to get another 2-3k in there before posting i'm just #going to have to outline it a bit more to figure out what i want to reveal when though i'm #quite happy with what i have right now for it #anyway more post apocalypse au!!!!!!#forgot to post this when i wrote it but it ended up with some minor changes so #its fine its fine its FINE #i seriously need to make a doc with everything for this au at some point

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delicourse · 2 years

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um i want whatever they had going actually

#wilk #tsurumi tokushirou #golden kamuy #gk #chapter 313 spoiler #gk spoilers #deliart #chapter 313 was gorgeous.... i put off ever drawing the tsurussy bc i KNEW i would never beat whatever idea noda had #also this drawing has been in the works for 6 whole months. so many iterations of it. wilk in the epic chair and tsurumi and the bones #and the bullet and everything. initially it was suppoded to be hasegawa but with the Hole Reveal it had to be changed #i just love his hole sm......... the way the scarring looks like a crown or whatever......man.......#added a little gold to emphasize what i mean....#i just read the final chapter and ofc ofc i could be mad abt koits but i've accepted nodas wack treatment of him such a long time ago #i used to be sooo mad months back when it became clear how it was gonna be handled but i gave up on waiting for the sike eventually.#so im good now<33 closed my eyes #anyway im gonna be gkposting art for a while to cope with not getting this manga weekly anymore #need to draw them all.... i havent done any sugi art in forever. and hes litcherally like my fav.#though u wouldnt be able to tell based on my art. all because i hate drawing hats<//3

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huffle-dork · 3 months

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Swap into the CrystalVerse Chapter 18: Fantasy Masks

Co-written with @crystalninjaphoenix

Read Swapboys | Read Fantasy Masks | AO3 Link

Taglist: @brokentimewatch @di-diwata

It's still raining at the palace. How long has it been raining for? Is this normal? {It must be,} this is a strange world after all. And it's common to rain all day back on Earth as well. {The sounds are really soothing.}

Magnificent has been hard at work trying to understand more about this land and its magic. But, with the rain going on so long.... he was starting to get tired. It was... really really soothing. He felt like he could fall asleep right on top of all these books.

He's drowsing so much, does he notice the door to the secret alcove slowly swinging shut?

He does not. The lighting darkens slightly and there's a click sound.

Magnificent's hand slips from where it's propped on his chin and his head falls, suddenly very much at ease. He hardly notices the change in lighting and the sound of the door shutting. He... just gonna take a lil cat nap.

Soon, he's dreaming. He finds himself in a forest. The trees are impossibly tall, their trunks dark, their branches stretching a roof above. Fog swirls around their roots. It's dark, but in the distance he can see the end of the forest, where there's sunlight once again.

A dream...? Strange.... it's been a long time since he dreamed. But, he's so at ease he walks on, carefully treading through the forest towards the sunlight.

There is something here.

There is something behind him.

It's moving, rustling the branches. Getting closer.

Magnificent looks behind him and feels a slight sense of fear- he starts to walk faster.

He can't make out it's shape, just a pair of bright yellow eyes and the gleam of teeth. When it realizes it was behind him, it runs towards him, a rush of shadows.

He feels him screech slightly and start to run faster. He tries to blast magic out at it as he pushes himself to go.

But this is just a dream and his magic is useless. The creature just goes faster and faster--but the edge of the forest is so near--

Mag curses and puts all his effort now into running, grasping- trying to reach for that light-!

He bursts out of the edge of the forest, the trees falling away like they're cut off by an invisible wall. The creature stops. But he's not out of danger--for there's only a few feet of land left before it drops abruptly into a cliff on the edge of the sea. He's running so quickly, and--

Magnificent doesn't even look ahead- just trying to make sure the creature has stopped chasing him. He's momentarily confused by the trees getting caught off- and then he plunges over the cliff.

He screams-

And someone grabs his hand, abruptly stopping his freefall. He looks up to see--the King himself.

Magnificent jerks as he's caught and he blinks up to the king with wide eyes. "y-you...?" He whispers in disbelief.

The King flashes a smile, looking strangely friendly. He pulls Magnificent up onto the small stretch of land. "Be careful," he breathes. "Why knows what would've happen if I wasn't here?"

Magnificent blinks wide eyed at the King, as if he can't believe his eyes. "y...yes... I... t-thank you."

The King bows. "You're welcome." And, in an instant, Magnificent is awake again.

Magnificent wakes up, slightly panting, pushing himself away from the desk. He blinks rapidly, trying to connect his thoughts. ....when had he fallen asleep...?

Not much time seems to have passed. But then again, the door is closed, so there is no reference for time in the windowless room. At least the candles haven't burned too far down.

Magnificent shakily pushes himself up and looks around- and now realizes the door is closed. He feels a bit of anger and then flies up to try to see if he can open the door from this side.

There doesn't seem to be a way... At least, there is not a mechanism like there was from the other side. And the stone door is very heavy. How are people expected to move this? When he tries to teleport, {he can't. His powers are strangely blocked in this room.}

"What the fuck?!" Mag yells then starts to bang on the door, "AODHAN! Let me out of here! What is the meaning of this?!"

A moment passes. Two. Three. And then, the stone door starts swinging outward. The King is standing in the still-dim library, holding a candle and {looking concerned.} "Did you close the door on yourself?"

“What?! No of course not!” Magnificent growls, “I just- woke up and the door was closed! Did you lock me in here??”

"No!" The King is now irritated. "I told you before, it will be much easier to get back to Suilthair with the two of us. I'm not planning on going back on my word. Do you think I'd be so childish as to lock you in a room until we left?"

"Well I don't know!" Magnificent bites back. But, after a second he does seem to deflate some. That... did seem out of character for the King so far... "...p...perhaps not- but.. I don't know how it closed then. I was down below still reading. I didn't even notice that it shut..."

"You did just say you woke up, so I assume you were asleep." The King takes a step back, experimentally pushing the door in both directions. "Hmm... this palace has been empty for around four years. I wouldn't be surprised if something went off with the mechanism, leading to it slowly closing over time."

Magnificent seems to relax even more at this and his anger fades. Now, he almost seems embarrassed. He looks away and messes with his cape. "... i guess that makes more sense then... hm.."

"Still, I don't think they open from the interior, so it's a good thing I was close by," the King says. {It really is, isn't it?} "Seems a bit of a design flaw if you ask me."

"Yeah, I'll say..." Magnificent mutters. He goes to grab the pile of books and scrolls he was studying and then hurries back out of the passage. "I'm not risking getting locked back down there- I'll just continue up here."

The King laughs. "Seems a wise thing to do." A breeze gusts around the secret alcove, blowing out the candles. As soon as Mag is out and the candles are dark, the King closes the entrance. "By the by, remind me of something, Magnificent. Did you intend to stay in this world or move on to another?"

"Hm... it depends-" Magnificent says non-committedly. "... This world seems better suited for me. However, I need to see if... my ambitions can be met here." He places the books down and takes another seat. "... I will probably not stay. There's too much to learn- too much more to see."

"...ah." Did the King seem... {disappointed?} "Well, this is indeed a vast world beyond the island. And with your unusual magic, I think your power could be... There would be little real opposition. On an individual basis. The problem being that nations have armies, and such. You would need an army of your own. Glasúil does have many warriors." He pauses. Is he suggesting what Magnificent thinks he is? "Ah, but I won't impose on your wishes, of course." He nods at Magnificent's books. "Enjoy your reading," he says, and leaves the library entirely.

The King is quite powerful in his own right. Magically, and politically in this world. {He could be a great asset. Or maybe even an ally. What could this world offer the two of them?}

Magnificent pauses in his reading and watches as the King leaves. He almost wants to stop him but... surely the King wasn't suggesting... a team up? ... maybe that would be beneficial... they did seem to share a lot of the same viewpoints and goals. And with all the magic here... he could be sustained for... ages. Much longer than at home. He... he could be unstoppable here. ...as much as he didn't want to rely on another.... until he knew more about the land... He could be a great asset. ... perhaps He would stay. He just... he needed to make sure he kept his cub around- to get to other universes eventually. But, the King and him... oh they could turn so many worlds into endless droves of puppets, worshiping at their feet like the gods they are. He smiles. Not a bad plan at all...

Not a bad plan at all. But of course, {he needs the King} for it. That's the crucial part. Which means {he needs to stay close.}

Yes… Mag needs to stay close. Him and the King will accomplish great things together. He just needs Alt… he can be their pet and provide them with even more power to conquer the kingdoms. They could crush the rebels and that troublesome hero once and for all.

Back in his chosen bedroom, the King sits with his eyes closed, monitoring Magnificent's thoughts. Does he suspect how far the King can reach? If he does, the King will make sure he doesn't anymore. He wonders if the magician will make a move soon. It'll be almost disappointing if he doesn't. But at the same time, satisfying to know this power of his holds strong. It's almost a shame. Almost.

{It will be great.}

It will be great… No- wait… this. Something wasn’t right here. Since that dream… he hadn’t been questioning anything the King offered him. …why? He’s not one to just go with a plan. He-he was actually thinking of staying here?! In this primitive world?! He had so many other worlds to conquer! The King must be doing something- can he still enter his mind without detection?? No no… he- he can’t let himself fall for these mental games! He’s the strongest magician- he would make that phony king see that… was there anything in here on how to beat enchantment… he needed some kind of advantage here. He would not lose to this… he would not…!

-----------

The rocky fields have given way to more traditional grass fields, the blades knee-high or sometimes higher. The grass rustles as Draco swishes through them, wandering off somewhere. "Clear spot up there." Jackie points to a spot where the grass is slightly shorter. "Time for a lunch break."

Alt nods sleepily and without really thinking about it, glitches over to that spot and then flops down on the ground.

Bro blinks then laughs a bit, “Guess Alt isn’t used to all this walking.”

"But you are?" Jackie asks, sitting down near Alt.

Bro makes a little offended noise, “I’m a hero, Jackie! I have to be pretty fit to make sure I’m saving lives! Plus I have good stamina.” He sits down on the grass and stretches. “…I do prefer flying though. S’easier usually.”

"Hmm. I guess I shouldn't expect everyone from the same world to have the same capabilities. We don't here."

"For example, Jameson," Marvin says teasingly.

Jameson doesn't deny the slight jab, flopping down just like Alt did. I'm getting better, he says defensively.

Henrik sits down and starts looking through their food bag. "Here." He hands a couple pieces of jerky to Alt.

Alt takes a second to open his eyes to see Henrik offering him the snack. He nods tiredly and takes it, sleepily chewing with his eyes closed.

“…I guess his bad night of sleep caught up to him-“ Bro laughs.

“Shuddup…” Alt slurs between bites.

"Well then why don't you fly ahead?" Chase suggests. "Stay within eyeshot. It's not like a banshee is going to jump out screaming."

“Well that’s not very fair to you guys!” Bro waves his hand. “We’re all in this together!”

Meanwhile, Marvin looks at Alt with some concern. "Is it time to start cutting the distance with doorways? Or should we take a nap while we break? We want everyone to be ready when we get to Killithair."

Alt takes another second to acknowledge Marvin, jerky sticking out of his mouth. He blinks heavily and shakes his head, “S’whatever you guys think is best- I’m either tired or worried right now so…. Being sleepy isn’t so bad.” He yawns.

The others glance at each other.

"Nap break," Henrik decides. "I say this as a doctor. All of you fall asleep."

Chase laughs. "I don't think most people can just fall asleep on command like that."

"Oh, but speaking of sleep, are you still having those strange dreams, Chase?" Jackie asks.

Chase pauses. "Sometimes. They're... pretty rare. But they happen. Oh." He looks at Bro and Alt. "I've been have strange dreams. I'm in a garden, and there's a well at the center, and I need to get to the well but it's like something is pushing me backwards. It could just be a reoccurring dream but... well, it's a chance it's not."

"It could be magic," Marvin agrees.

Bro tilts his head, “Huh… yeah that’s weird… sounds magic to me. Whatcha think Alt?”

….looks like Alt has fallen asleep while they were talking, curled up around his bag. At least it looks like he finished that jerky though.

“…well then.” Bro laughs.

"Hey, he's not the only one, at least." Jackie points.

Jameson is also asleep, lying on his back with his head on his bag. "I'm jealous. It always takes me so long to fall asleep."

"You know what could help with that? Mind soother." Henrik folds his arms.

"Yea, yea. I've heard you before." Jackie rolls his eyes.

“Alt’s not usually one to fall asleep like this either- only when he’s really exhausted.” Bro admits, messing with his hair. “Guess worrying about Magnificent really got to him…” He hums, looking at his brother with concern.

Chase sits down. "I guess we wait, then." He pauses. "Um... have any questions about things in this world, other me?"

Bro sighs and leans on his legs, thinking. “Uhhh- hmm… I dunno. Oh! Jackie said you were a dad- wanna tell me about your kids? Our Jackie’s always talking about his!” He laughs lightly as he grabs stuff to eat.

Chase's expression visibly brightens. "Amabel and Quentin! They're my darlings, really, me and Stacia's. Amabel is my daughter, a little redhead. She's quiet most of the time and likes to be alone but she really wants to learn how to hunt like me. Heh, when she gets into something you can't tear her away. Quen is younger than Amy, he's dark-haired like his mother. He was always a bit... weak, with a tendency for illness, but he's such a cheerful kid, and he loves my stories."

Bro chuckles, smiling warmly, "Aw they sound wonderful... Amabel kinda sounds like Alt when he was younger."

"Alt must have been very cute, then, because Amabel certainly is."

"Strange thing to say when he's right there," Marvin mutters, pointing at Alt.

"He's asleep. Besides, I don't think it's strange to say someone must have been a cute kid."

"I mean, i think he was," Bro laughs. "He- wouldn't have thought so. Didn't really like being... you know. A-" He glances to make sure Alt is still asleep before whispering, "a girl." He then shrugs and smiles fondly, "Though- even when I look back on it, I never really thought of him that way. The second he told me he was a boy at like 4- He was just that. And he was... just the cutest kid."

Chase smiles back. "You know, Quentin told me once that maybe he didn't want to be a boy. 'That's fine,' I said. 'What do you want to be, then?' He said he wasn't sure. And I said, 'well, you don't even have to worry about that until you're ten like Amabel.'"

"Ah, yea, uh... explanation," Jackie jumps in. "Here, you're considered 'no longer a kid' when you're ten, though you're not really an adult until you're sixteen. And once you're no longer a kid, you're free to do things like change your name and ask people to refer to you differently."

"And start apprenticeships and more serious household chores," Chase adds.

"Not that if a kid says they want to be different beforehand we say they can't," Jackie continues. "It's just... by the time you're ten you usually have more identity about yourself, you know? So that's when it's official." He chuckles. "Of course, there are exceptions. Four is young, but not unheard of."

Bro blinks, "Damn that would have been nice for us growing up! Man... we should adopt something like that- it sure would make a lot of gender stuff easier." He laughs. "Oh it confused the fuck out of our Aunts at first. But, luckily they were willing to listen. So, Alt's lucky. He got put on stuff that would stop... things from growing until he was 15. ... then well..." Bro's expression looks sad as he slumps slightly, "I... i dunno what happened after that. I assume... he just got it figured out. But, point was- his family always was with him on how he saw himself."

"That's good," Marvin says quietly. "Family should always be with family. He's lucky he had you and your aunts."

"Very lucky," Henrik agrees. "I think you have been good for him, Bro."

Bro blinks and then feels his eyes water a bit but he laughs and tries to blink them away, "uh... t-thank you guys... that... means a lot. We uh... got separated for a while so... I feel like I have... a lot to make up for. But, w-we're together again and... that's all I could really ask for. I never thought... i'd actually get to again... you know?"

"Yea," Chase says quietly, nodding. "Now, we're really just a handful of strangers, but from our perspective, it looks like you're doing great. Keep it up. He cares about you too."

-----------

The storm at the palace has only slightly let up. There is no longer thunder, but rain continues to pour. The King remains in his chosen bedroom, watching the drops trail down the glass.

The door to the King's bedroom slams open- and a furious Magnificent stands in the door, a stone curled tightly in his fist. His eyes glow as he snarls and strides into the room. "You broke our truce, Aodhan. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

The King turns around, calm despite the sight before him. "If I must be honest? Yes." A small smile traces his mouth. "People rarely do. I did consider it, though, with your strange magic and knowledge about the mind." His hand rests on the handle of his sheathed seax. "I will say that the truce was merely that I wouldn't read your thoughts, not that I wouldn't influence them. But now that you think I've broken it, are you planning on breaking it in turn?"

"Yes!" The dark magician snarls, "You trespassed where I've allowed no one else- heard things I've told no one else!" He lights up fire in his hands as a mad light enters his eyes. "I cannot allow you to live now, knowing I was only a pawn for you to use!" He yells out in rage and tries to shoot the fire at the King.

The King moves, but not fast enough. The fire passes by his shoulder and lights his cape on fire. Scowling, he pats it out, then draws his seax. "Would you have done anything else if you were me?" he asks, the blade lighting up with electricity. He swings it in a diagonal slashing motion, and an arc of lightning shoots out towards Magnificent.

The lightning hits Mag in the shoulder, his muscles spasming for a second and he has to recover by holding himself up against the wall. "Mayhaps..." He giggles, unhinged. "I guess I haven't been thinking straight- wonder why that is." He growls, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he sweeps out a hand and lets a bloom of swirling green and purple magic appear in front of the king. "Maybe we should test out how well that will work now~!"

The King laughs, amused. "Do you think that--" And then he actually looks at the magic. And stops. Stiffens. His eyes start to glaze, then he shakes his head. "Wait," he says, a nervous tinge in his voice. "How did you...? There's nothing different, but--" He presses a hand to the side of his head and pushes, like he's trying to force himself to look away, but for some reason, it's not working. "You little--snake!" And with one burst of willpower, he throws the seax right at Magnificent. That's the last thing he does, though. Something in his eyes changes, and he slumps back against the wall.

The seax hits Mag in the arm and he stumbles back, hissing in pain. He pulls it out and then seethes looking down at the King. But, did it... did it actually work? He looks down at the hastily made talisman he made with a warding rune- something elementary he knew from his witchcraft days. Did it actually protect him? He laughs, breathlessly then a bit more madly. He strides over to the King grinning. "Well well well Aodhan... who's the pawn now?"

Aodhan stares up at him, no longer eye-level now that he was leaning back against the wall. "...me," he says in an uncharacteristically quiet voice. His body shudders as if it's trying to reject the hypnotic magic, but he can't quite shake it off.

Magnificent chuckles evilly and goes to kneel by the King and squeezes his chin in his claws, "That's right... very good, Kitten."

He studies Aodhan and hums quietly. What to do now... He still was so lost in this world- he was hoping to not have to do this until they were back in the capital. But... desperate times... It was gonna take a lot of effort to keep him down- already he can feel him fighting it. He can't have that...

"mmm maybe that's what I should do with you, pet~ Should I make you a good little kitty who can lead us back to the capital~? Keep you out of trouble- keep that nosy mind of yours away from where it doesn't belong?" He snarls.

Aodhan blinks slowly. Then he shudders again. "It's... still raining..." he says dully. "Not... yet..."

Indeed, the rain is still pouring, tracing lines down the glass window. The road leading into town was packed dirt, Magnificent had seen it when they walked in. By now it would be mud.

Magnificent tsks, rolling his eyes towards the windows. "mmm... of course." He lifts Aodhan's chin back up and looks into his eyes with a sneer. "I can't have you double crossing me again though, Aodhan. So, I'll let you enjoy the rest of the storm as a mindless kitty pet, alright?" He giggles and grins wide as he attempts to pump black magic into Aodhan.

Something darken's in Aodhan's eyes--and suddenly the King grabs Magnificent's wrist. "I think not," he says, and shoves Magnificent away.

Magnificent gets shoved and he fumbles to recover dropping his talisman in his haste to get up. He bares his teeth, "Insolent fucking whelp! How did you snap my strings so easily?!"

The King grins as he stands up. "Did I?" he points a finger against his temple. "Look at what you've done, Magnificent. Does it feel like you've lost control?"

And when Mag takes a moment to look closer he realizes... it doesn't. He should still have the King under his control. His eyes still have that glazed look. And yet, here he is standing and defying him easily. "I told you days ago, didn't I? You don't understand the situation going on here." The King smiles wider. The air feels sharp, electric. His shadow writhes on the wall behind him.

"You can't control something that's already being controlled, Marvin."

Magnificent's eyes widen and he takes a stumbling step back, dread pooling into his bones as he breathes. "No... no w-what- what are you?" He tries to yell, tries to snarl- keep up his facade. But, this thing is right. He has no idea what's happening here. And he's gonna pay for thinking he ever could.

And then lightning strikes the window.

Instantly it shatters, the stone around it exploding and shrapnel flying outward. The King doesn't move as electricity fills the room. The old furniture immediately catches on fire.

The room explodes, the stone flying and knocking Mag off his feet. Then, the crackling electricity shocks his body, making him unable to move as the room catches fire- he screams bloody murder, his body burning from the electricity coursing through him. He can't control his body as it writhes on the ground.

The King stands there, watching, head tilted to the side. As soon as Mag is mostly through the spasms, he reaches out and grabs him, dragging him back through the open doorway and into the hallway, away from the burning.

Magnificent cries out as he's dragged out into the hallway. He chokes as he's grabbed by the throat and through teary vision he tries to bite back a whimper. His entire body was in pain- he could hardly think straight.

The King crouches down next to him, grabbing him by the throat and squeezing gently. "I still think this can be salvaged," he says, quietly. "Your power can be very useful. Maybe you could be where I am in a thousand years or so." He grins. "But for now, things will change. I'm not going to be as merciful as I have been." His voice shifts. "You will obey. Do you understand?" he Commands.

Mag couldn't resist the command even if he wanted to. "y...yes.... I'll... I'll obey-" He whispers, unable to stop himself.

"Good." The King lets go and gets to his feet. "Now stand up. It looks like the storm is clearing up. We can leave as soon as possible." Indeed, the sound of rain has abruptly vanished.

Mag stumbles to his feet even as his whole body protests. He swallows thickly, everything in him focusing on staying upright through the haze of pain. "y..yes sir."

"'Your Majesty'," The King corrects. "Now let's go." He'll get food and supplies and then they'll start heading towards Suilthair. Towards his rightful home.

"...Yes, your Majesty"." Magnificent repeats hollowly. He doesn't have a choice.

#SITCV FM #fantasy masks #swap into the crystalverse #alt anti #bro fantastic #swap magnificent #YESSS THE BIG REVEALLL #dude when we first wrote this cry hadnt even revealed this yet in FM so i was mindblown!!#its such a cool moment #especially cuz mag finally gets the taste of his own medicine >;3 #last chapter of FM tomorrow!!

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